Lost her last election, in 2006, with 39% of the vote.
Mil Davie Shipyard November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate that this government does not wish nor is it in any position to comment upon the relative merits of one shipyard over another in relation to this contract. What we are in a position to comment upon is fairness and full opportunity on the part of all shipbuilders to participate in this contract. That is what we will ensure.
Mil Davie Shipyard November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I simply reiterate the concern of this government. It is with the process that was followed. We are committed to ensuring that all Canadian shipbuilders have a fair and full opportunity to bid on contracts.
I think, for whatever reason, my learned friend across the way is having some difficulty comprehending the fact that our concern is always with fairness.
Mil Davie Shipyard November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate the position of the Prime Minister and myself. What we are concerned about in this situation is the process that was used by the Hibernia Management Corporation. It is clear based on the report of the offshore board that all Canadian companies were not treated fairly. We have asked the management board of Hibernia to review that decision. Our concern is with the process. We have never commented on the ability or lack thereof of any shipyard in this country to do the job in question. We are concerned that everyone get the opportunity to be treated fairly.
Mil Davie Shipyard November 30th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, let me clarify that which the Prime Minister and I said yesterday.
In light of the Canada-Newfoundland offshore board decision which indicated all Canadian shipbuilding companies were not given a full and fair opportunity to bid or tender for the contract in question, we have asked through the president of the Hibernia Management Corporation that the owners review their decision.
I understand from Mr. Hull, the president, that he will be in contact with the other owners and seek that review. Pending the outcome of that review, I think it would be unfair or inappropriate for me to anticipate the outcome.
Hibernia Project November 29th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate that which I have said before and perhaps correct the hon. member in one small way.
We are one of five on the Hibernia management company. That company is seized with the responsibility of the day to day management of the Hibernia project.
I will reiterate here today, as I have before, it is not this government's intention to micro-manage on a day to day basis that project.
However, as the Prime Minister has indicated, in relation to the situation involving MIL Davie there is a clear report from the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Board indicating MIL Davie and other Canadian companies were not given full and fair opportunity to bid for the work in question. The Prime Minister's answer has been clear today that we are as concerned about that as the hon. member and we will take action.
Auditor General's Report November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, let me make it absolutely plain that the Government of Canada does have an evaluation mechanism. The Auditor General suggested that we improve it and we are doing that.
Auditor General's Report November 24th, 1994
Mr. Speaker, let me reassure the hon. member across the way that this government is indeed very interested in the overall management of the Hibernia project. What I stated was that we are not involved in the day to day management decisions, the operating decisions affecting the project.
I have read that which the Auditor General has said in his report. The hon. member knows that to be fair he should point out that the Auditor General indicates we have gone a very long way to put in place systems to ensure this project is managed appropriately and that the taxpayers' money is spent effectively.
Let me suggest to the hon. member that we will continue to improve the mechanisms we have in place to ensure the taxpayers' money is spent effectively.
Department Of Natural Resources Act November 23rd, 1994
moved that Bill C-48, an act to establish the Department of Natural Resources and to amend related acts, be read the third time and passed.
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure for me this afternoon to speak on the occasion of the third reading of Bill C-48, a bill to establish the Department of Natural Resources.
This afternoon I wish to focus my brief comments on the important role of research and development as these concepts relate to the resource sectors and my department.
In the red book of the Liberal Party of Canada we stated our commitment to encourage progress toward the concept of sustainable development by integrating economic and environmental values and objectives.
One of our key challenges as a government in meeting this commitment is to create resource production and processing technologies that are less harmful to the environment and government and industry must meet this challenge by working in collaboration and partnership.
Government research facilities will continue to make an important contribution to R and D but the involvement of industry, universities, colleges and levels of government other than federal is essential.
The role of the federal government in the natural resources sectors is that of partner and that of a natural bridge between industry, other levels of government and the academy.
Natural Resources Canada has a lead role to play in the way our natural resources are managed. NRCAN, along with other science and technology departments, is responsible for ensuring that the Canadian taxpayers' investment of approximately $7 billion in science and technology is focused on areas that have the highest priority in terms of meeting our important economic, social and environmental goals.
By facilitating co-operation between all stakeholders government can ensure that the science and technology at work in these sectors contributes to the wealth of our economy and the health of our natural resources.
NRCAN has four main scientific branches: the Canadian Forest Service, the Geological Survey of Canada, the Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology, otherwise known as CANMET, and Geomatics Canada. All these branches make important contributions to research and development in partnership with others.
Let me now give some specific examples of how my department fulfils this important role. In mining let us look to the problem of acid mine drainage, an environmental liability for the Canadian mining industry, with a potential price tag of between $3 billion to $5 billion.
To address this challenge the mine environmental neutral drainage program, otherwise known as MEND, unites the efforts of four federal government departments, eight provincial governments, seventeen mining companies and a number of academic institutions. It has developed new leading edge technology that can be transferred and marketed around the world. The program has also saved to date hundreds of millions of dollars for Canadian mining companies.
Let me move to the area of geomatics. When it comes to a discussion of innovative technology I believe that some of the most remarkable and innovative technological developments have occurred in the field of geomatics. Integrating economic and environmental objectives for resource development begins with accurate information. Working in partnership our geomatics industry and the Government of Canada have been instrumental in developing, applying and transferring both innovative
technology and expertise to Canada's resource industries and to countries around the world.
For example, we can receive images at the Prince Albert satellite receiving station, a world class Canadian built facility, which is located in Saskatchewan. Then we can digitize this information and use it in computer based tools to explore for new resources, to develop new mines or to monitor changes in our environment. Those are only a few of the uses of geomatics technology.
Let me move to the forestry sector, one of the single most important areas of Canada's industrial strength. In the forestry sector advanced technologies based on remote sensing and computer science are giving us new techniques for managing the forest resource and its ecosystems.
Canada has developed highly successful forest health monitoring systems including the forest insect and disease survey, a partnership between the federal and provincial governments and the acid rain national early warning system. Canada also leads the world in the development of forest fire danger rating systems and related decision support systems. These are just a few examples of the valuable partnerships that exist between government, industries and universities.
However the challenge is clear. We can no longer tackle problems in traditional ways and government must continue to find innovative solutions through our partnerships and through science and technology which is the key to progress toward sustainable development. My department, NRCAN, is in the process of drawing the road map for natural resources development in the 21st century. It is a map for success because of the consensus that we have achieved by bringing together key stakeholders in the resource sectors.
NRCAN is a major federal force behind science and technology and is the leading federal agency responsible for natural resource issues. These roles provide NRCAN with the capacity to help address the challenges industry faces and to contribute to the fulfilment of the government's policy priorities.
Increasingly the department's policy and science and technology efforts focus on two interrelated objectives, helping the resource industry to maintain its international competitiveness and doing so in a way that is environmentally sustainable. Together these two objectives capture the essence of the concept of sustainable development, the integration of economic and environmental objectives and values.
In conclusion, it was a pleasure to address the House this afternoon on the occasion of the third reading of Bill C-48, a bill that will when enacted provide the legal framework for the new Department of Natural Resources.
Department Of Natural Resources Act November 22nd, 1994
moved that the bill, as amended, be concurred in.
Department Of Natural Resources Act November 21st, 1994
Mr. Speaker, I have listened with interest this morning to the discussion of my hon. friends and particularly to the comments made by the hon. member for Davenport.
Let me say that I appreciate the interest and time he has taken in relation to Bill C-48 which creates the new Department of Natural Resources. I want to point out that I have listened very seriously and have taken very seriously his concerns in relation to this government's commitment to sustainable development. Because I take that commitment very seriously, I instructed my officials to reorder clause 6 of Bill C-48 in such a way that our commitment to sustainable development became clause 6(a).
This morning the hon. member for Davenport indicated he would like further amendments to clause 6(a) of Bill C-48. Again I think my hon. friend raises some very important considerations for all of us. If it is appropriate at this point I would like to proceed with moving an amendment. I move:
That Motion No. 1 be amended by adding:
; and
(b) by adding immediately after the word "resources" the following:
"and the integrated management thereof;".
Clause 6(a) would indicate that the minister shall have regard to sustainable development and to the integrated management thereof. Let me explain why I am proposing such an amendment. It is because I think the paramount consideration and concept is
obviously that of sustainable development and therefore sustainable development should have pride of place in clause 6(a).
My commitment as minister is to the sustainable development of Canada's natural resources, but integrated resource management is the means by which we deliver on that commitment. It is the how of the implementation of the concept of sustainable development.
My opinion is it is important not only to include the commitment to sustainable development, but also to indicate how in the resource sector we achieve and deliver on that commitment. We do it through integrated resource management, the integration of the values of economic, social and environmental considerations. Therefore I have proposed the amendment as outlined.